Connectivity apparatus for remote cell tower integration

ABSTRACT

A connectivity apparatus and system for upgrading cellular site equipment through a remote desktop connection. The system includes an onsite computer connected to onsite switching and data equipment for the cellular site. The onsite computer establishing a network connection through an array of hotspots provided by mobile data operators. The system disabling the hotspot of the mobile data operator of the cellular site being upgraded. The onsite computer then being accessed by an offsite computer to initiate and administrator the equipment updates using offsite personnel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of and claims priorityto nonprovisional application Ser. No. 16/104,304, entitled“Connectivity Apparatus for Remote Cell Tower Integration,” filed Aug.17, 2018, by the same inventor, which is a continuation of and claimspriority to provisional application No. 62/546,614, entitled“Connectivity Apparatus for Remote Cell Tower Integration,” filed Aug.17, 2017, by the same inventor, the entireties of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to data connectivity. Morespecifically, it relates to remote access connectivity for cellulartower site integration services.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Cellular (or “cell”) site equipment periodically requires software andhardware upgrades to keep pace with constantly evolving technology.Currently, a cell site technician (or “integrator”) is dispatched tophysically go to the cell site. During the software installation orupgrade process, the cell site technician is idle, waiting for theinstallation or upgrade to install. The process is largely inefficientwith respect to the technician's time.

IT engineers that maintain large arrays of computers frequently accessthem remotely such as through remote desktop software. Remote desktopsoftware allows the desktop of a remote computer to be displayed on alocal computer. Some exemplary remote desktop protocols include:

-   -   Apple Remote Desktop Protocol (ARD)—an original protocol for        Apple Remote Desktop on MacOS machines;    -   Appliance Link Protocol (ALP)—a Sun Microsystems-specific        protocol;    -   HP Remote Graphics Software (RGS)—designed by Hewlett-Packard        specifically for high end workstations;    -   Independent Computing Architecture (ICA)—designed by Citrix        Systems;    -   PC-over-IP (PCoIP)—a protocol used by VMware;    -   Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)—specific to MICROSOFT Windows;    -   SPICE (Simple Protocol for Independent Computing        Environments)—remote-display system; and    -   X Window System (X11)—a cross-platform protocol mainly used for        displaying local applications.

A solution for the idle cell tower integrator is to have them upgradethe cell tower equipment remotely. That way they would not have tophysically travel on-site and wait for the upgrade process to complete.Unfortunately, there are several problems with this solution. First, thecell tower equipment (such as that sold under the brand ERICSSON andNOKIA) is proprietary and highly secure. Therefore, it is not generallypossible to load and run remotely accessible desktop software on theequipment itself. Even if the remote desktop software was enabled on theequipment, the upgrade process itself usually requires disconnection,reboot and thus an inherent loss of network connectivity. When thetechnician is onsite, they can re-establish the connection. However,from an administrative location, it may be difficult or impossible toreconnect remotely.

Because of the proprietary nature of the cell site equipment, the cellsite integrator generally connects a portable computing device with thenecessary administrative software for the onsite equipment upgrade. Theportable computing device is connected via USB, Ethernet, serial,optical, or other wired connection to the onsite equipment. When theintegrator is onsite, he or she executes the upgrade process, andsubsequently “babysits” the equipment until the procedure is finished.The integrator often has no need for an Internet connection through thisprocess.

If the integration was to run remotely, the Internet connection wouldlikely be established by a 3G or 4G hotspot. However, during the upgradeprocess, the very tower that is transceiving the data for the 3g or 4Ghotspot temporarily is disabled. The break in connectivity could lead toa failed upgrade process and result in a loss of service for the entirecell site.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a solution to give cell siteintegrators remote access to upgrade onsite equipment. In addition,there is a need for a solution to provide robust, wireless remotedesktop connectivity at cell sites. However, in view of the artconsidered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it wasnot obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this inventionhow the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussedto facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaimthese technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimedinvention may encompass one or more of the conventional technicalaspects discussed herein.

The present invention may address one or more of the problems anddeficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it iscontemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing otherproblems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, theclaimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited toaddressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussedherein.

In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge isreferred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not anadmission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combinationthereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to thepublic, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes priorart under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to berelevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which thisspecification is concerned.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a system andmethod of remotely integrating with and updating a cell site without aloss in connectivity is now met by a new, useful, and nonobviousinvention.

An embodiment of the method of the present invention includes the stepof wirelessly connecting an off-site computing node disposed at anadministrative location with an on-site computing node disposed at thecell tower site. The cell tower site is in electronic communication witha plurality of hotspot networks, with each of the hotspot networks beingconnected to an internet network. The method also includes the step ofscanning, through the on-site computing node, through the plurality ofhotspot networks to select one of the plurality of hotspot networks fora wireless connection. The selected hotspot network is the network thatprovides an optimal hotspot network connection that is based on at leastone of a connection strength, a connection speed, and a connectionconsistency associated with each of the plurality of hotspot networks.

The method includes the step of wirelessly connecting the on-sitecomputing node to the selected one of the plurality of hotspot networks,such that the on-site computing node is connected to the internetnetwork. Via the selected one of the plurality of hotspot networks,maintenance on the cell tower site can be remotely performed by alteringat least one of a software component of the on-site computer and asoftware component of one of the plurality of hotspot networks. Themaintenance performed on the cell tower site is selected from the groupconsisting of installing a file to update or upgrade the cell towersite, and removing a file to downgrade or repair the cell tower site. Inan embodiment, the maintenance is performed on one of the plurality ofhotspot networks, thereby allowing an off-site integrator to remotelyaccess and update one of the hotspot networks by using an internetconnection provided by one of the other hotspot networks. Such a systemprevents the need for closing down an entire cell tower site to performmaintenance.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, during the scanningstep, the method includes the steps of determining which of theplurality of hotspot networks requires maintenance, and removing thehotspot network that requires maintenance from a list of availablehotspot connections. As such, the method prevents the on-site computerfrom connecting to the removed hotspot network, thereby ensuring aconsistent connection during the maintenance process. In addition, ifthe selected hotspot network fails to provide an optimal hotspot networkconnection, the method includes the step of selecting and connecting toanother of the plurality of hotspot networks. In an embodiment, themethod includes the step of monitoring the plurality of hotspot networksto help ensure that the optimal hotspot network connection is selectedat a given time. The monitoring step, and the scanning step, may includea step of pinging each of the plurality of hotspot networks to determinethe optimal hotspot network connection.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a remote data connectivitysystem is provided, including an off-site computing node disposed at anadministrative location and an on-site computing node disposed at a celltower site. Each of the computing nodes includes a processorcommunicatively coupled to a memory. The on-site computing node alsoincludes a network switcher in electronic communication with theprocessor, with the network switcher in wireless communication with aplurality of hotspot networks. The system also includes a remote desktopprotocol adapted to run on the on-site computing node and provide awireless and electronic connection between the off-site computing nodeand the on-site computing node. The network switcher is adapted to pingeach of the plurality of hotspot networks to determine an optimalhotspot network connection for the on-site computing node. In addition,the network switcher is adapted to disconnect the on-site computing nodefrom the one of the plurality of hotspot networks and connect theon-site computing node to another of the plurality of hotspot networksif the selected hotspot network does not provide the optimal hotspotnetwork connection. The on-site computing node is adapted to connect toone of the plurality of hotspot networks, thereby providing an internetconnection for the on-site computing node. In an embodiment, the systemmay include a maintenance installation data package downloadable on theon-site computer, with the maintenance installation data package beingdisposed to update one of the plurality of hotspot networks. In thisembodiment, the network switcher disables the hotspot network to receivethe maintenance installation data package, such that the on-sitecomputer connects to a different hotspot network.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a software applicationinstalled on a portable computing device having ports to establishconnectivity to cell site equipment. The portable computing device hasat least two wireless data transceivers subscribed to two independentwireless carriers. The software application monitors the connectivity ofthe at least two transceivers to fail-over to a second wireless carrierin the event that adequate connectivity is lost to the first wirelesscarrier.

In practice, the portable computing device is connected onsite duringthe upgrade process and is turned on. At least one Internet connectionis established through a wireless hotspot device on the portablecomputing device. An offsite integrator at an administrative locationthen initiates a remote desktop session to the portable computingdevice, and initiates the upgrade process to the cell site equipment.While the upgrading process is running, the integrator can attend toother duties, including, but not limited to, upgrading other cell sitesremotely in a concurrent fashion.

An object of the invention is to provide for a consistent wirelessconnection between a cell site and one of a plurality of wirelesscarriers, such that in the event that a connection is lost, the cellsite can transfer over to a different wireless carrier. An additionalobject is to provide for remote access to a cell site, thereby allowingan integrator to easily and efficiently perform upgrades to a cell sitewhile attending to other duties simultaneously.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of theinvention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will beexemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made tothe following detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the prior art method of cell tower siteintegration activity.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a process-flow diagram depicting a method of integrating witha cell site according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and theappended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present invention includes an apparatus and method of providing aconsistent wireless connection between a cell site and one of aplurality of wireless carriers, allowing a technician, or an integrator,to efficiently perform work on one of the plurality of wireless carriers(i.e., upgrading and/or updating a component of the network). Thepresent invention also includes an apparatus and method of proving aremote connection through which the integrator can connect to the cellsite without the need to physically travel to the site, therebyimproving the integrator's (and, ultimately, the cell site's)efficiency.

FIG. 1 shows cell tower site 10 having antenna structure 20 coupled todata and switching equipment 30 and 40. On-site integrator 60 usesportable computer 50 which is connected to data and switching equipment30 and 40 to process software installations and updates. As notedpreviously, on-site integrator 60 spends much of the time idle, waitingfor equipment 30/40 to process the upgrade and/or update instructions.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein integrator 60 is nolonger “on-site” but stationed remotely from cell tower site 10 atadministrative location 70. Portable computer 50 is still coupled toequipment 30/40 but on-site computer 50 is accessed through remotedesktop protocol (RDP) 150 wherein local computer 80 engaged byintegrator 60 displays the desktop emulation of on-site computer 50including the proprietary upgrade/update software typically provided bythe vendors/manufacturers of equipment 30/40.

The RDP connection requires a data connection which is typically madethrough the public Internet 90. On-site computer 50 is coupled to aplurality of hotspot devices that are subscribed to different mobiledata operators. For example, some mobile data operators provide servicesunder the brand names SPRINT, VERIZON, AT&T and TMOBILE. Softwareinstalled on on-site computer 50 monitors and analyzes the plurality ofhotspot devices to determine a hotspot to which it can connect. Inaddition, the software cycles through the plurality of hotspot devicesand selects the strongest and/or most consistent connection, which wouldthereby allow the installation, upgrade, update, or other project to beperformed on at least a portion of cell site 10.

However, a unique issue that arises during integrator updates andupgrades is that the cell tower equipment may be temporarily takenoffline or may drop in connection for a variety of reasons. For example,one or more of the plurality of hotspot devices may experience aninterruption in connectivity, thereby decreasing connection strength andspeed, or pausing connectivity altogether. One such interruption occursif the hotspot device to which on-site computer 50 connects is thehotspot device that is receiving an update or upgrade-during theinstallation process, the hotspot device often must restart or otherwisecease wireless connectivity for a period of time.

Thus, if the equipment services a SPRINT data connection, then using ahotspot on the SPRINT carrier may lead to an interruption in the RDPsession and require the off-site integrator to travel to the on-sitecomputer to resume the upgrade process. This can lead to a significantdisruption and delay in the integration process. Therefore, according toan embodiment of the invention, within the array of hotspot devices, thesoftware disables the hotspot connection for the affected carrier of thecell site equipment for that particular integration. This preventsinitially establishing an RDP session 150 only to lose it at the worstpossible time, such as in the middle of an update/upgrade.

The equipment for the hotspot array (110, 120, 130 and 140) may beinternally-integrated into a portable computer with additional hotspotdevices plugged into USB ports in the computer. Alternatively, a USB hubwith two or more hotspot USB devices may be collectively connected byone USB connection to the portable computer 50. Finally, a stand-alonedevice housing the hotspot array equipment may be provided that isconnected by WiFi, Bluetooth, or Ethernet to portable computer 50.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, software on portablecomputer 50 running the WINDOWS operating system may access an API toenumerate the WiFi access points provided by hotspot array. Anindividual hotspot having a signal significantly stronger than the restof the array may be automatically disabled prior to the initiation ofthe RDP session, the presumption being that the high-signal is comingfrom the local cell site which may be temporarily brought down in theupdate process. In FIG. 2, cell site 10 provides services to carrierTMOBILE. Accordingly, hotspot 140 for TMOBILE is either manually orautomatically disabled by portable computer 50 to prevent disruption inthe RDP session. One of the remaining hotspots 110-130 may be selectedby logic of the best ping response, strongest signal, or some otherconnectivity analytic. In addition to the initial disabling of thehotspot being updated, the software monitors the wireless connectionsassociated with the remaining hotspots to determine the strongest andmost consistent connection. As such, if the connection strength or speedfrom the connected hotspot drops below a threshold value, or below thestrength or speed of one of the other hotspots, then the software mayswitch the wireless connection to one of the other hotspots.

Onsite computer 50 will typically get a dynamic IP address from hotspotarray so an embodiment of the invention anticipates having a DNSapplication so that offsite integrator 60 can establish RDP session 150with onsite computer 50.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in conjunction with FIG. 2, an exemplaryprocess-flow diagram is provided, depicting a method of remotelyintegrating with cell site 10 without an interruption in wirelessconnection. The steps delineated in the exemplary process-flow diagramof FIG. 3 are merely exemplary of an order of remotely integrating withcell site 10, and the steps may be carried out in another order, with orwithout additional steps included therein.

As shown in FIG. 3, the method of remote integration begins at step 300,during which an integrator connects to computer 50 on cell site 10. Theconnection can be performed physically or remotely, depending on thelocation of integrator 60 with respect to cell site 10. For example, ifintegrator 60 is not physically near cell site 10 to create a physicalconnection with on-site computer 50 at the site, integrator 60 canremotely connect to the computer via RDP 150, as discussed in detailabove.

The method proceeds to step 310, during which the on-site computersearches through a plurality of wireless carriers to determine awireless carrier to which the computer connects. The determination of awireless carrier depends on a number of factors, such as the strengthand consistency of the signal emitted from the wireless carrier andreceived by the computer. When the wireless carrier having the strongestand most consistent signal is determined, the computer connects to thechosen wireless carrier during step 320, such that the computer can sendand receive data wirelessly via the carrier.

At times, the wireless carrier determined and selected during step 310will drop or lose connection, causing the computer to lose connection aswell. During work performed on a cell site, this loss of connectionoften occurs because the work is related to maintenance of one of thewireless carriers—for example, upgrading and/or updating a component ofthe network associated with the wireless carrier. If the computer chosethe wireless carrier to receive maintenance, then the computer will haveto find a different wireless carrier to continue working on the cellsite. Alternatively, the selected wireless carrier may simply loseconnection due to interruptions in network connectivity or interruptionsin signal transmission. As such, during step 330, the computer analyzeswhether the wireless connection between the computer and the wirelesscarrier degraded by dropping or losing connection, or otherwiseexperienced a reduction in signal, such that a different wirelesscarrier would provide a more secure and stronger connection. If thecomputer experienced signal loss, then during step 335, the computerselects a different wireless carrier from that selected during step 310.After the computer selects the different wireless carrier, the methodrepeats step 320, in which the computer connects to the selectedwireless carrier.

Once the computer has a strong and consistent wireless connection to awireless carrier, regardless of whether a new wireless carrier had to beselected, the method proceeds to step 340, during which the cell sitereceives the maintenance that required the integrator to connect to thecomputer. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer continues to monitor thewireless connection to the selected wireless carrier during themaintenance process. The monitoring process is described as step 345 inFIG. 3. Finally, once the maintenance process is complete, and theintegrator has performed the necessary work on the cell site, theintegrator disconnects from the on-site computer during step 350.

The present invention may be embodied on various computing platformsthat perform actions responsive to software-based instructions and mostparticularly on touchscreen portable devices. The following provides anantecedent basis for the information technology that may be utilized toenable the invention.

The computer readable medium described in the claims below may be acomputer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. Acomputer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limitedto, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable storage medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage medium may be any non-transitory, tangiblemedium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connectionwith an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. However, asindicated above, due to circuit statutory subject matter restrictions,claims to this invention as a software product are those embodied in anon-transitory software medium such as a computer hard drive, flash-RAM,optical disk, or the like.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wire-line, optical fiber cable, radio frequency, etc., or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying outoperations for aspects of the present invention may be written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including anobject-oriented programming language such as Java, C #, C++, VisualBasic, or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages,such as the “C” programming language, or similar programming languages.

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

It should be noted that when referenced, an “end-user” is an operator ofthe software as opposed to a developer or author who modifies theunderlying source code of the software. For security purposes,authentication means identifying the particular user while authorizationdefines what procedures and functions that user is permitted to execute.

The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from theforegoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changesmay be made in the above construction without departing from the scopeof the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in theforegoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Glossary of Claim Terms

Administrative location: is an off-site location, remotely disposed froma cell tower site, at which an administrator, or integrator, canremotely interact with the cell tower site.

Cell tower site: is a mobile device site including antennae andcommunications equipment that creates a cellular network, to whichcomputing nodes can connect.

Computing node: is an electronic device capable of communicating withelectronic communications networks.

Hotspot network: is a location at which a computing node can connect tothe internet, such as via a wireless carrier.

Maintenance: is an update, upgrade, installation, downgrade, removal, orother function performed to change a software component of a cell towersite or a hotspot network.

Off-site: located away from the cell tower site.

On-site: located at or adjacent to the cell tower site.

The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from theforegoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changesmay be made in the above construction without departing from the scopeof the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in theforegoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote data connectivity system comprising: anon-site computing node disposed at a cell tower site, the on-sitecomputing node including a memory, a processor communicatively coupledto the memory, and a plurality of hotspot devices physically coupled tothe on-site computing node and in electronic communication with theprocessor, each of the plurality of hotspot devices associated with adifferent mobile data operator and including an associated mobilehotspot based on the mobile data operator, such that the cell tower siteis capable of forming a wireless connection with each of the pluralityof mobile hotspots; and an off-site computing node disposed at anadministrative location, the off-site computing node including a memoryand a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the off-sitecomputing node connectable to the on-site computing node via a remotedesktop protocol, wherein the off-site computing node, via the remotedesktop protocol, is adapted to ping each of the plurality of hotspotdevices to determine one of the plurality of mobile hotspots to which toconnect the on-site computing node, thereby providing wireless access toan associated mobile data operator.
 2. The remote data connectivitysystem of claim 1, wherein the on-site computing note is adapted todisconnect from the connected one of the plurality of hotspot devicesand connect to another of the plurality of hotspot devices.
 3. Theremote data connectivity system of claim 1, wherein the on-sitecomputing node disables one of the plurality of hotspot devices, suchthat the on-site computer connects to another of the plurality ofhotspot devices.